ANTIGONISH: Municipal council will feature a pair of new representatives for the next four years in another election that featured a low voter turn-out.
Individually, 46.39 per cent of eligible voters came out in district 1; 34.45 per voted in district 2; 37.40 per cent went to the polls in district 4; 26.22 per cent had their names crossed out in district 7; and there was a voter turn-out of 48.54 per cent in district 8.
In district 7, newcomer John Dunbar defeated Matt Schumacher 167 to 117.
Dunbar said he is looking forward to helping residents and promoting the community.
“We have a great building in Heatherton, the Heatherton Community Centre, which was the replacement for the old Rev. H.J. MacDonald School after it closed,” said Dunbar.
“It’s really become the hub of the community and it’s become a big success story. I look forward to helping it grow even further in the years to come.”
Dunbar said he sees a lot of potential in the district, with the possibilities of new businesses and more highway twinning.
In district 8, Gary Mattie’s 269 votes carried him past Vernon Boudreau, with 132 votes, and incumbent Pierre Boucher, with 98. Mattie said he sees a lot of good things on the horizon for the area.
“When I went around campaigning, there were people who had issues and I will be bringing them forward to council once I get sworn in,” Mattie said. “I want to thank the people of district 8 for voting for me and I would also like to thank my sister, Eleanor Mattie, because, while I’m in a wheelchair, she was my legs to get to the doors, and my family for their support too.”
Mattie is on the board of directors for Canadian Paraplegics Association of Nova Scotia out of Halifax and is a board member with East Novability Society for Persons with Disabilities.
In district 1, incumbent Mary MacLellan bested Ryan Smith 379 to 83. District 2 incumbent Donnie MacDonald’s 362 votes helped him get past Donald Grady, with 70 votes. Vaughn Chisholm will once again represent district 4 after earning 323 votes compared to Mike MacEachern’s 167.